Franklin Dean
The practice of Dalit weddings following Buddhist rituals has gained prominence in popular culture, with the Amazon Prime series 'Made in Heaven' showcasing a beautiful Dalit-Buddhist wedding in Season 2, Episode 5. This episode, titled 'The Heart Skipped a Beat', features Radhika Apte as a Dalit bride who chooses a Buddhist wedding instead of the traditional pheras ceremony and court marriage. The portrayal of this neo-Buddhist wedding has been applauded for providing representation and shedding light on the social justice discourse surrounding the Dalit community in India.
In real life, some Dalit couples have also chosen to shun traditional Vedic rituals and instead incorporate Buddhist practices into their weddings. This shift towards Buddhist weddings among Dalits, also known as Navayana Buddhism or Ambedkarite Buddhism, carries a historical context and represents a rejection of the Hindu caste system and a promotion of equality and empowerment for the marginalized Dalit community.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of India's population | 16.6% |
| Alternative names | Scheduled castes, untouchables |
| Religion | Buddhist, Neo-Buddhist, Navayana Buddhism, Ambedkarite Buddhists |
| Wedding type | Buddhist, non-traditional, simple |
| Wedding characteristics | No chanting of hymns in Sanskrit, prayer of Buddha, reading of Basavanna's vachanas in Kannada, blessing with flower petals, presence of Buddhist monks, portraits of Buddha and Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar |
| Wedding attire | None mentioned |
| Wedding location | Mutt, village of Sidiyas, a small hamlet in Rajasthan's hilly Bhilwara district |
| Wedding date | Friday |
| Wedding couple | Somashekhar Sanninganavar, postal employee, and unnamed woman |
| Wedding guests | Basavanand Swamiji of Nargund, Veteran writers Allamaprabhu Betadur, SS Harlapur, AB Hiremath, Basavaraj Hugar, DSS leader Venkateshayya, family members |
| Wedding entertainment | None mentioned |
| Wedding food | None mentioned |
| Wedding cake | None mentioned |
| Wedding gifts | Copies of the book 'Naanu Hindu Aagi Sayalaare: Dr BR Ambedkar' compiled by Sadashi Marji |
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What You'll Learn
Dalit weddings are often Buddhist
On the Indian series Made in Heaven, an episode features a Dalit bride who chooses to have a Buddhist wedding instead of the traditional pheras ceremony and court marriage. The episode showcases the couple's decision to follow the teachings of Buddha and Ambedkar, with images of both present at the wedding. This episode sparked conversations about Dalit weddings and the representation of Dalit culture in media.
In real life, some Dalit couples have also chosen to incorporate Buddhist rituals into their weddings. One couple from Rajasthan, India, decided to solemnise their marriage according to the Buddhist religion, calling the ceremony a "Sah-Jevan-Ka-Jashn" or "Celebration of lifelong companionship". They chose to include a small idol of Gautam Buddha and portraits of social reformers, including B.R. Ambedkar, to send a message of equality. Another Dalit couple from Gadag shunned traditional Vedic rituals and followed the teachings of Buddha, Basava, and Ambedkar. Instead of chanting hymns in Sanskrit, they offered prayers to Buddha and read Basavanna's vachanas in Kannada. They were blessed with flower petals instead of rice grains, demonstrating a unique and personalised wedding ceremony.
These examples illustrate how Dalit weddings can be customised to incorporate Buddhist beliefs and practices, reflecting the couple's values and desire for equality.
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Dalit Buddhist weddings in popular culture
Dalit Buddhist weddings have been largely absent from popular culture in India, despite Buddhism being a prominent religion during the Mauryan Period. However, the Amazon Prime show Made in Heaven has brought Dalit Buddhist weddings to the forefront of popular culture, with its portrayal of a Dalit Buddhist wedding in Season 2, Episode 5, entitled 'The Heart Skipped a Beat'. The episode, directed by Dalit filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan, features a Dalit bride, Pallavi Menke, played by Radhika Apte, who insists on a Buddhist wedding, in contrast to her in-laws' request for a traditional pheras ceremony and a court marriage. The wedding rituals are conducted in the presence of Buddhist monks, with portraits of Buddha and Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, highlighting the Navayana Dalit movement pioneered by Ambedkar.
The episode has sparked conversations about the representation of minority and marginalised communities in popular culture, with some praising its authenticity and relative simplicity in comparison to the opulent weddings typically depicted in Indian media. It has also been hailed as a celebration of the resilience of marginalised communities and their journey towards empowerment. However, it has also received criticism for failing to credit the sources that inspired certain scenes.
The show has sparked curiosity about Buddhist weddings and their traditions, with some commenting on the serenity, simplicity, and colourfulness of the ceremonies. These weddings often involve taking vows prescribed by Ambedkar, such as the 22 vows taken by Shweta, a non-Buddhist Dalit who married a Buddhist man, Siddhant, in a Buddha Vihara.
In recent years, there have also been news reports of a Dalit couple in Rajasthan who chose to solemnise their marriage according to Buddhist traditions, referring to the ceremony as 'Sah-Jevan-Ka-Jashn' (Celebration of lifelong companionship). They opted for a simple wedding without priests, garlands, or band parties, instead displaying portraits of social reformers and an idol of Gautam Buddha, reflecting their desire for equality and a rejection of the traditional patriarchal setup.
Overall, the inclusion of a Dalit Buddhist wedding in 'Made in Heaven' has contributed to a growing discourse on identity, tradition, prejudice, and representation in popular culture, shedding light on the unique challenges and resilience of the Dalit community in India.
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The history of the Dalit-Buddhist movement
The Dalit Buddhist movement is a religious and socio-political movement among Dalits in India. It was started by B. R. Ambedkar, a Columbia University-educated lawyer who drafted India's constitution. Ambedkar reinterpreted Buddhism and created a new school of Buddhism called Navayana. Ambedkar's version of Buddhism abandoned mainstream traditional Buddhist practices and precepts, such as the ideas of karma, rebirth in the afterlife, samsara, meditation, nirvana, and the Four Noble Truths. Instead, he reinterpreted the Buddha's religion in terms of class struggle and social equality. Ambedkar's book, 'The Buddha and His Dhamma', is considered the holy book of Navayana or Dalit Buddhists.
The Dalit Buddhist movement was launched in 1956 when nearly half a million Dalits, formerly known as "untouchables", joined Ambedkar and converted to Navayana Buddhism. Ambedkar led the first mass conversion at Dikshabhumi, Nagpur, adopting Buddhism alongside 380,000 to 3,65,000 followers on October 14, 1956. Unfortunately, Ambedkar died just six weeks after the first mass conversions. Despite this setback, the movement survived and gradually took hold, with the relative prosperity, educational achievements, and collective confidence of Maharashtra's Buddhists becoming remarkable among Dalit communities.
The Dalit Buddhist movement rejected Hinduism and challenged the caste system in India, promoting the rights of the Dalit community. It also rejected the teachings of Mahayana, Theravada, and Vajrayana traditions of Buddhism. The movement presented Buddhism as a religious alternative to Hinduism for Dalits, and many Dalits have embraced Buddhism in mass conversion ceremonies since 1956. Casteism is reminiscent of racism, but it is rooted in religion, and that is why many Dalits, like Lalida, have sought a religious solution in Buddhism.
The Ambedkarite Buddhist movement arose from and is still based in Nagpur, sharing the streets with members of the RSS, a group with a dedicated focus on outreach to Dalit Buddhists. Ambedkarite Buddhism is an increasingly popular option for dissatisfied Dalits because, unlike conversions to Islam or Christianity, conversion to Buddhism is not illegal in several states. Buddhism is considered a "'sub-sect' of Hinduism", which is a useful loophole for conversion. However, it is also a hindrance because it is a reason why the Hindu establishment does not fully recognize Buddhist identity today.
The Dalit Buddhist movement has a rich literary history, with contributions from writers like Bama, Joseph Macwan, and Gogu Shyamala in Tamil Dalit literature, and Kathi Padma Rao and Bojja Tarakam in Telugu literature.
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How Dalit weddings challenge the caste system
Dalit weddings challenge the caste system in India in several ways, despite strong resistance and the risk of violence. Dalit couples are increasingly choosing to shun traditional Vedic rituals and instead embrace Buddhist teachings and practices during their wedding ceremonies. This includes following the teachings of Buddha, Basava, and Ambedkar, with prayers to Buddha and readings of Basavanna's vachanas in Kannada. Instead of rice grains, the couple is blessed with flower petals by their relatives and well-wishers.
Dalit weddings also challenge the caste system by defying traditional rituals associated with higher castes, such as riding a horse in the wedding procession, or baraat. In one case, a Dalit groom, Sanjay Jatav, took his battle to court, fighting for his right to ride a horse in his marriage procession, a ritual reserved for higher castes. After months of negotiations, an agreement was reached with the high-caste Thakurs, who initially tried to restrict the procession to the outskirts of the village. Police presence was required to prevent violence and protect the couple and their families from potential retaliation.
Another way Dalit weddings challenge the caste system is by incorporating political beliefs that challenge old Brahmanical ideas and present a strong Dalit perspective. For example, in the popular series "Made in Heaven," the character Radhika Apte, a Dalit bride, chooses a Buddhist wedding instead of the usual pheras ceremony or court marriage. She also includes pictures of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Buddha, which fans found touching and impactful.
These challenges to the caste system are significant because Dalits, formerly known as "Untouchables," are considered the lowest of castes in traditional Hinduism. They face discrimination and social tensions, even violence, when attempting to assert their fundamental rights and improve their socio-economic status. Despite India's constitution outlawing discrimination against Dalits in 1950, crimes against the lowest caste groups continue to increase, with a 9% rise in 2021 according to the National Crimes Record Bureau.
Overall, Dalit weddings challenge the caste system by rejecting traditional rituals, embracing Buddhist teachings, defying caste-based restrictions, and incorporating political messages that advocate for equality and social justice for Dalits in India.
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Dalit Buddhist weddings and their rituals
Dalit Buddhist weddings are a break from the traditional Vedic rituals that have been followed for centuries. Dalit couples who opt for Buddhist weddings usually follow the teachings of Buddha, Basava, and Ambedkar.
In a departure from the usual pheras ceremony and court marriage, Buddhist weddings involve a prayer to Buddha and a reading of Basavanna's vachanas in Kannada. Instead of chanting hymns in Sanskrit, the couple is blessed with flower petals by their relatives and well-wishers.
Some couples also take an important pledge to treat each other with respect as part of the Buddhist marriage rituals. In one instance, a bride was seen walking through a crystal-clear pond filled with white lotuses to reach the marriage stage in front of a 10-foot-tall Buddha statue.
The popular series Made in Heaven featured a Dalit Buddhist wedding in its second season, which received praise for its representation and sparked interest in such weddings. The episode showcased a Dalit bride who chose a Buddhist wedding, complete with images of Dr B.R. Ambedkar and Buddha.
In real life, a Dalit couple in Gadag, India, also chose to follow the teachings of Buddha, Basava, and Ambedkar for their wedding. They presented copies of the book 'Naanu Hindu Aagi Sayalaare: Dr BR Ambedkar' to their wedding attendees.
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Frequently asked questions
A Dalit wedding is a wedding ceremony conducted according to the Buddhist religion. Dalits, also known as Scheduled Castes, are around 16.6% of India's population and have faced violence, intimidation, and discrimination nationwide. Dalit weddings often involve shunning traditional Hindu rituals and instead following the teachings of Buddha, Basava, and Ambedkar.
Dalit weddings may involve the prayer of Buddha and the reading of Basavanna's vachanas in Kannada instead of chanting hymns in Sanskrit. Instead of rice grains, the couple may be blessed with flower petals by relatives and well-wishers. Dalit grooms have also been prohibited from riding horses during wedding processions due to caste-based prejudices.
Dalit couples may choose to have a Buddhist wedding to follow the teachings of Buddha and promote equality. The Buddhist marriage ceremony is simple and preaches equality, in contrast to the Hindu style of wedding, which has been associated with inequality and the oppression of women. Ambedkarite Buddhists, a small community within India, draw followers primarily from marginalised Dalit communities and promote a sense of community and empowerment.
Portraying Dalit-Buddhist weddings in the media, such as in the show "Made in Heaven," can help to break stereotypes and advocate for a more inclusive and just society. It can also provide a platform for the Dalit community to understand and assert their rights and challenge birth-based discrimination and the caste system in India.
